How to Stay Safe at a Gas Station

Last Updated: October 21, 2021

Stopping at a gas station to refuel may be second nature to most motorists, but exercising common sense in regard to your safety when there is always important. Here are some tips for staying safe when refuelling.

Steps

1
Go to the gas station during the day if possible. Generally speaking, incidents are more likely to occur if you go to a gas station after dark or especially in the middle of the night, when there are few others around. If you're on the road early in the morning and run out of fuel, call a breakdown service for assistance or ask a friend/family member to pick you up instead.
2
Look for a well-lit gas station in a reasonably safe neighborhood. Sometimes you may not have a choice, but you shouldn't have to feel nervous when stopping to refuel in a dark area or an unsafe part of town if you have alternative options.

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3
Turn off the engine and lock the doors. Do this as soon as you find a gas pump that is available. Never leave your car running idle or your doors unlocked as you refuel, even for a few moments or if there is another passenger inside it. Doing so may result in a potentially fatal explosion or fire.
4
Keep your personal items by your side. Do not leave your handbag, wallet, mobile phone, etc., in the car.
5
Discharge static electricity. Before handling gas, touch anywhere on your car away from the gas tank or nozzle. This is important. Failure to do so may result in serious injury or death caused by explosions or fires.
6
Know what to do if a fire starts. Do not remove the nozzle. Just follow the steps in this article instead.
- Locate the emergency shutoff (which will usually be by the store), activate it, and then call the fire department immediately. Use the nearest emergency phone to do so, failing that you should get to a safe location (away from the gas station and out of the way) and then make the call using your cell phone or get a bystander to do it for you as soon as possible. Failing that, you should go to the nearest public call box and make the call from there.
7
Refuel and move on. After you've filled up the tank and paid for your fuel, seal the petrol cap and return to your vehicle promptly. Don't dawdle.

Community Q&A

Question

Do I have to turn my car off?

Felicity Rubiano

Community Answer

Yes, to make it safer. There are signs at the gas station reminding you to do so.
Question

How do I discharge static electricity if I refuel my motorcycle?

Mark Potter

Community Answer

There is no need to do that, it should be perfectly safe to just refuel it without any further safety precautions.
Question

Which is beneficial: gas attendants or doing by yourself?

It is your girl lei lei

Community Answer

Gas attendants because you don't have to get out of your car and there is a less chance of someone breaking into your car (unless it is the gas attendant). Also, it means more people have a job, which is important to ensure everyone is getting an income.

Warnings

Be cautious and use discretion if approached by someone asking for money, use of your phone, etc.

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Don't use electronic devices while pumping gas as it can start a fire.

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